Gallery: Europe's Oldest Rock Art

Decorated Rocks

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

The east side of the Vallon de Castel-Merle with Abri Blanchard in the distance and Abri Castanet to the immediate right. Abri Castanet is the site of what seem to be the oldest rock carvings in Europe.

Ancient Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A female sex organ carved in bas-relief at Abri Castanet

Partial Horse

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A partial drawing of a horse outlined in black and painted red at Abri Castanet in France.

Vulva Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A carved image of a vulva from Abri Castanet.

Abri Castanet Vulva

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

Images of female genitalia predominate at Abri Castanet.

Female Genitalia Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A vulva carving associated with other, unidentifiable carvings.

Unidentifiable Animal

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

Researchers aren't sure what animal an ancient artist was trying to draw - it could be a bison, or perhaps a horse.

Vulva Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

One of the many vulva carvings at Abri Castanet, France.

Ancient Firepit

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

The excavation of an ancient firepit at Abri Castanet. The carvings were done on the ceiling of a rock shelter that collapsed soon after.

Fireplaces

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

Two firepits at Abri Castanet.

Castanet Excavation

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A view of the excavation site at Castanet. The central sector has not yet been excavated, while the southern sector has been explored since 1995.

Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science. She covers the world of human and animal behavior, as well as paleontology and other science topics. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has ducked under a glacier in Switzerland and poked hot lava with a stick in Hawaii. Stephanie hails from East Tennessee, the global center for salamander diversity. Follow Stephanie on Google+.

Stephanie Pappas, Live Science Contributor
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Decorated Rocks

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

The east side of the Vallon de Castel-Merle with Abri Blanchard in the distance and Abri Castanet to the immediate right. Abri Castanet is the site of what seem to be the oldest rock carvings in Europe.

Ancient Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A female sex organ carved in bas-relief at Abri Castanet

Partial Horse

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A partial drawing of a horse outlined in black and painted red at Abri Castanet in France.

Vulva Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A carved image of a vulva from Abri Castanet.

Abri Castanet Vulva

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

Images of female genitalia predominate at Abri Castanet.

Female Genitalia Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A vulva carving associated with other, unidentifiable carvings.

Unidentifiable Animal

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

Researchers aren't sure what animal an ancient artist was trying to draw - it could be a bison, or perhaps a horse.

Vulva Carving

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

One of the many vulva carvings at Abri Castanet, France.

Ancient Firepit

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

The excavation of an ancient firepit at Abri Castanet. The carvings were done on the ceiling of a rock shelter that collapsed soon after.

Fireplaces

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

Two firepits at Abri Castanet.

Castanet Excavation

Credit: Raphaëlle Bourrillon

A view of the excavation site at Castanet. The central sector has not yet been excavated, while the southern sector has been explored since 1995.